EFFICIENCY 

ROBERT  H.  DAVIS 
PERLEY  POORE  SHEEHAN 


The  original  Cast  of 
EFFICIENCY 

as  produced  under  the  Direction  of 

FRANK  CONROY  at 

THE  GREENWICH  VILLAGE  THEATRE 

New  York 

The  Emperor       ......      Frank  Conroy 

The  Professor Eugene  Ward 

Number  Two-Forty-One    .      .       Joseph  Macaulay 


FRANK    CONROT 

AS  "THE  EMPEROR"  IN  "EFFICIENCY" 


The  Greenwich  Village  Edition 

EFFICIENCY 

A  PLAY  IN  ONE  ACT 

BY 

ROBERT  H.  DAVIS 

AND 

PERLEY  POORE  SHEEHAN 


WITH  APPRECIATION  BY 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT 


NEW  YORK 

GEORGE  H.  DORAN  COMPANY 
MCMXVII 


COPYRIGHT,  1917,  BY  ROBERT  H.  DAVIS 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


APPRECIATION  BY 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT 


381828 


METROPOLITAN 


4-32  FOURTH  AVENUE  NEW  YORK 


November  8,  1917 


Gentlemen: 

I  very  heartily  congratulate  you,  as  an 
American,  upon  having  produced  thta^in  the  form  of  a 
play  and  in  now  producing  it  in  the  form  of  a  story. 
You  teach  a  great  lesson.       You  show  in  dramatic  manner 
now  the  Prussianized  militaristic  autocracy  of  the  Hohen 
zollerns  has  turned  Germany  into  an  inhuman  machine  for 
the  destruction  of  what     is  highest  and  best  in  mankind, 
Germany  to-day  occupies, toward  other  peoples, and  to  a 
great  extent  toward  her  own  docile  and  deluded  working- 
men  and  peasants,  a  position  which  in  point  of  internation 
al  morality  does  not  essentially  differ  from  that  of  the 
Mongols  under  Genghis  Khan,  and  the  Tartars  under  Timur. 
But   in  addition  to  imitating  norals-of  tba  dreadful^ Mongols 
and  Tartars,  the  Germany  of  the  Hohenzollerns  has  brought 
every  resource  of  a  materialistic  civilization,  and 
especially  every  resource  of  a  materialistic  science  to 
aid  in  the  wide-spread  application  of  their  brutal, 
treacherous,   and  merciless  0ftto&£*          In  consequence,  Germany 
has  made  herself  a  source  of  horror,  to  all  ffee  peoples. 


You  have^set  out  ireM.  the  hideous  evil  of 
German  militarism.         To  complete  the  picture,   however, 


Office  of 
Theodore  Roosevelt 


4-32  FOURTH  AVENUE  NEWYORK 


-  3  - 


how  this  brutal  militarism  has  been  aided 


by  the  uamaaly^pacifism  in  certain  other  countries, 
including  our  own*         The  American  professional  pacifist 
has  been  the  efficient  ally  of  the  brutal  German  militar 
ist.       Each  alike  has  failed  to  understand  that  righteous 
ness  must  be  our  aim;   that  we  must  endeavor  to  secure 

justice  and  fair-dealing  and  mercy  as  betweenjnan  and 

t*~-s^Z*cL*i^     i~.  (.v^  ^x  ^/J 

man,  an4  as  between  man  and  woman^osd.  in  the~long  painful 

struggle  to  achieve  these  ends,  weakness  and  timidity  are 

%*k6^, 
traitor.sham  virtues/  and  those  who  profess  and  practice 

them^give  aid  and  comfort  to  the  apostlee^f  brutal 
wrong-doing. 

Sincerely  yours, 


Mr  .   Robert  H.  Davis, 
Mr.   Per  ley  P.    Sheehan, 
8  West  40th  Street, 
Kew  York. 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

The  Emperor 
The  Scientist 
Number  241 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Frank  Conroy  as  the  Emperor  in  Efficiency  .      .    Frontispiece 

PAGE 

SCIENTIST:  "A  triumph  over  matter.  The  fragment  of  a 
soldier  reconstructed  under  the  magic  touch  of  Science, 
without  which  he  would  to-day  be  rotting  on  the  field 
— a  source  of  pestilence — a  worthless  thing.  Science 
set  him  on  his  feet,  gave  him  a  leg,  an  arm,  hands,  a 
telephonic  ear,  a  telescopic  eye!  " 22 

SCIENTIST:  "We  can  now  take  a  soldier,  no  matter  how 
badly  wounded  and  return  him  to  the  trenches — no 
longer  a  bungling  mortal  man — but  a  beautiful  effi 
cient  machine!  .  .  .  We  recruit  from  the  hospitals." 

EMPEROR:  "And  the  hospitals  are  overflowing.  My  dear 

Professor.  Science  is  the  hope  of  the  dynasty"  .  .  28 

EMPEROR:  "There  is  but  one  higher  decoration — the  symbol 
of  Divine  Right — the  Reward  of  Heaven — which  I 
alone  possess" 32 

VOICE  OF  241 :  "You  have  made  me — live — in  the  dark — 
and  now  you  shall — die  in  the  dark!  .  .  .  Go  as  a 
king — should  go — to  meet  the  King — of  Kings!".  .  36 


XI 


EFFICIENCY 


THE  PERSONS  OF  THE  PLAY 

THE  EMPEROR,  a  person  attired  in  military  costume,  in 
dicating  the  highest  order  of  elaborate  modern 
mode,  sage  green  in  tone.  He  wears  a  short,  olive- 
coloured  cape  coat,  the  left  flap  of  which  is  thrown 
back  disclosing:  (1)  The  Order  of  Merit;  (2)  the 
Triple  Cross;  (3)  a  seven-starred  emblem  of  dia 
monds,  emeralds  and  rubies,  known  as  the  Reward 
of  Heaven,  designed  by  the  Emperor  himself  and 
bestowed  by  the  grace  of  the  Almighty  upon  His 
Majesty's  Imperial  person. 

THE  SCIENTIST,  a  small,  thin  man,  garbed  in  frock  suit, 
flowing  black  tie;  thin  of  face;  bulging  eyes;  horn 
spectacles;  heavy  head  of  grey  hair;  thin,  straggly, 
grey  beard  and  small  moustache.  He  is  very  ani 
mated.  He  wears  a  long,  Inverness  style  dark 
overcoat  and  carries  a  portfolio  containing  reports 
and  statistical  matter. 

NUMBER  241,  stands  six  feet;  is  very  erect  and  stiff  of 
posture;  closely  cropped  hair;  large  face,  rather 
heavy  of  expression.  Upon  entering  he  is  garbed 
in  full-length  war-grey  cloak,  with  wide  band  at 
waist  buttoned  in  front ;  the  conventional  metal  war 
helmet  now  in  general  use ;  hands  in  white-cotton 
gloves.  He  moves  with  the  deliberation  of  an  au 
tomaton.  In  reality  he  is  fifty  per  cent,  human 
and  fifty  per  cent,  machine,  being  composed  of: 
(1)  left  artificial  leg;  (2)  two  artificial  hands;  (3) 
artificial  right  forearm  and  elbow;  (4)  artificial 
left  eye  which  SCIENTIST  has  converted  into  a  tele- 


xvi  THE  PERSONS  OF  THE  PLAY 


scope;  (5)  artificial  left  ear  which  is  also  a  tele 
phone;  (6)  all  his  teeth  are  metal — synthetic  gold 
—but  cheaper  and  harder.  He  can  bite  barbed 
wire  in  twain.  Underneath  his  great  cloak  he 
wears  the  regulation  infantry  uniform  and  a  bay 
onet  in  a  scabbard.  His  speech  is  laboured. 


SCENE 

Private  audience  chamber  of  an  Emperor,  in  purple 
and  gold,  with  magnificent  throne-chair  carved  elab 
orately,  a  canopy  extending  over  the  seat.  Eegal  flat 
top  table  left  centre  containing  mounted  figure  of  the 
Emperor  in  bronze  and  a  large  mushroom  gold  gong. 
A  purple-and-gold  cloth  falls  over  both  ends  of  the  table. 
The  cloth  is  decorated  with  crown  and  sceptre.  Heavy 
purple  curtains  fall  from  back  wall.  A  modern  rifle 
leans  against  the  left  back  corner. 


EFFICIENCY 


(At  rise  of  curtain  stage  empty.  ENTER  the 
EMPEROR  followed  ~by  the  SCIENTIST — the  EM 
PEROR  with  a  curt  and  preoccupied  air,  the  SCI 
ENTIST  with  an  air  of  fawning  enthusiasm.) 

EMPEROR 

(Crossing   toward   throne-chair,   in   which   he 
seats  himself.) 
Proceed !     Proceed ! 

SCIENTIST 

(Placing  portfolio  on  table  and  smilingly  rub 
bing  his  hands.) 
Modesty,  Sire,  causes  me  to  falter. 

EMPEROR 

( Without  enthusiasm. ) 
My  time  is  limited.     The  Crown  Prince  awaits  me. 

SCIENTIST 

(Quivering  with  enthusiasm.) 

^When  your  Majesty  comprehends  this  greatest  of  all 
birthday  gifts! — a  million  cripples  transformed  into  a 
million  fighting  units! — your  Majesty's  might  becomes 
terrible ! 

19 


r>0  EFFICIENCY 


EMPEROR 
(Indulgently.) 
Generalities ! 

SCIENTIST 

I  particularize  (as  EMPEROR  makes  sharp  gesture  that 
he  is  ready  to  listen).  The  keynote  of  efficiency  is  the 
elimination  of  waste.  Our  problem  was  to  eliminate 
the  waste  represented  by  the  wounded.  In  brief — we 
have  succeeded. 

EMPEROR 

(Beginning  to  display  interest.) 
How  so? 

SCIENTIST 

After  countless  experiments,  we  can  now  take  a  sol 
dier,  no  matter  how  badly  wounded,  and  return  him  to 
the  trenches — a  supersoldier — no  longer  a  bungling, 
mortal  man — but  a  beautiful,  efficient  machine ! 

EMPEROR 
(Laughing.) 

You  are  enthusiastic  but — not  contagious!  (depreca 
tory  gesture) — but — (sternly) — your  promises  have  not 
always  been  kept.  The  proof! 

SCIENTIST 

(With  impulsive  devotion.) 
Your  Majesty,  I  foresaw  your  doubts.     I  brought — 

EMPEROR 
Ha !     A — specimen ! 


EFFICIENCY  21 


SCIENTIST 

(Appreciating  the  jeu  d' esprit.) 
Perfectly !     He  is  in  the  ante-room. 

EMPEROR 

(Curtly.) 
Bring  him  in!     Bring  him  in! 

SCIENTIST 

Er — I  beg  your  Majesty's  pardon — but — he  is  not— 
altogether  pleasant  to  look  upon. 

EMPEROR 

Nonsense!     Whatever  makes  for  the  strength  of  the 
dynasty  is  agreeable  to  the  imperial  eyes. 

SCIENTIST 

(With  tremulous  delight.) 
May  I? 

EMPEROR 
Certainly!    Make  haste! 

SCIENTIST 

(Nimbly  crosses  to  door,  opens  it,  and  ejacu 
lates  command.) 
Attention !     Forward !     Hep  ! 

(There  is  a  momentary  silence,  then  a  metallic 
clatter  as  if  caused  ~by  a  movement  of  iron, 
then  a  heavy  step.  ENTER  241,  erect,  with 
measured  tread,  observing  nothing.  He  comes 
down  to  centre  of  stage,  where  he  stops  in  re 
sponse  to  the  SCIENTIST'S  order.) 


EFFICIENCY 


Halt ! 

(As  241  stands  at  military  attention,  the  SCI 
ENTIST,  with  manifest  delight,  flutters  bowing 
before  EMPEROR  and  explains.) 

The  ultimate  triumph! — our  two  hundred  and  forty- 
first  experiment — Hence — Number  Two  Hundred  and 
Forty-One ! 

(During  this  explanation  241  does  not  stir.) 
(The  EMPEROR  stares  at  241  with  a  sort  of  hor 
rified  fascination.) 

EMPEROR 
He — marches — splendidly ! 

SCIENTIST 

The  least  of  his  accomplishments.  Permit  me!  (Re 
turns  to  241,  whom  he  prods,  241  remaining  impassive.) 
Magnificent!  (gesture  of  approval  as  he  carries  on  in 
spection  of  arms,  hands,  body  and  head  of  241.  Runs 
finger  around  left  eye,  taps  gently  left  ear.  Contem 
plates  ensemble  and  makes  gesture  for  241  to  open 
mouth.  241  opens  mouth  and  shows  glittering  array  of 
metallic  teeth;  he  shuts  them  with  click  like  a  steel 
trap).  Perfection!  Eight  arm!  (241  lifts  right  arm 
in  stiff  but  sweeping  gesture.)  Left  knee!  (241  crooks 
left  knee  twice.)  Hands!  (241  opens  and  closes  both 
cotton-gloved  hands  and  manipulates  fingers.) 

EMPEROR 
You  guarantee  his  efficiency? 

SCIENTIST 
Absolutely. 


SCIENTIST:  "A  triumph  over  matter.  The  fragment  of  a  soldier 
reconstructed  under  the  magic  touch  of  Science,  without  which 
™rW£iUld  Viday  be  ™tting  on  the  field-a  source  of  pestilence-a 
worthless  thing-  Science  set  him  on  his  feet,  gave  him  a  leg,  an 
arm,  hands,  a  telephonic  ear,  a  telescopic  eye  !" 


EFFICIENCY  23 


EMPEROR 
Demonstrate. 

SCIENTIST 

(Approaches  241,  who  continues  to  stand  im 
mobile,  and  very  swiftly  removes  helmet,  long 
cloak  and  cotton  gloves,  disclosing  two  metallic 
hands  and  wrists.) 

You  ask  me,  your  Majesty,  if  he  is  efficient.  I  reply, 
more  efficient  than  before  he  fell  in  battle.  (Crosses  to 
corner  and  gets  rifle.  Returns  to  centre.)  Two-forty- 
one,  attention!  Observe,  your  Majesty!  (SCIENTIST 
tosses  rifle  to  241,  who  catches  it  surely  but  stiffly  in  his 
metal  hands,  against  which  the  weapon  clangs.  SCIEN 
TIST  puts  241  through  manual  of  arms.  The  whole  scene 
following  is  punctuated  ~by  military  commands  in  the 
following  order:) 


"  Attention!" 
"Carry  arms!" 
"Present  arms!" 
"Shoulder  arms!" 
"Parade  rest!" 


And  now,  your  Majesty,  mark  this!  (resuming  orders) : 

"Fix  bayonets!" 
"Make  ready!" 
"Aim!" 
"Fire!" 


(241  completes  manoeuvres  by  pulling  trigger 
and  snapping  lock,  whereupon  SCIENTIST  takes 
rifle  and  tosses  it  to  settee.) 


24  EFFICIENCY 


EMPEROR 

(Leaning  forward  with  look  of  wonderment  in 
his  face.) 
Colossal ! 

(241  comes  to  attention  and  is  inert  again!) 

SCIENTIST 
Are  not  the  possibilities  impressive? 

i 

EMPEROR 
Beyond  our  dreams ! 

SCIENTIST 

I  estimate  the  restoration  of  five  army  corps  now  im 
mobilised  because  of  missing  arms  and  legs,  deafened 
ears  and  blinded  eyes. 

EMPEROR 
(Meditatively.) 
Something  of  a  shock — to — civilisation! 

SCIENTIST 
(Exultant.) 
Stupendous!     We  recruit  from  the  hospitals! 

EMPEROR 

( With  dawnmg  realisation  of  the  magnitude  of 
the  suggestion.) 

And  the  hospitals  are  overflowing!  My  dear  Profes 
sor!  Science  is  the  hope  of  the  dynasty 


EFFICIENCY  25 


SCIENTIST 
Is  it  not  amazing? 

EMPEROR 
Quite ! 

SCIENTIST 

(Proceeding  with  examination.) 
A  test  for  the  ear! 

(SCIENTIST  taps  left  ear  of  241  gently,  then 
crosses  behind  throne-chair  right  and  makes 
three  light  taps  on  back  of  chair  discernible  to 
audience,  while  241  bends  ear  attentively  in 
that  direction,  half-turning  body.  SCIENTIST 
reappears.  241  resumes  original  posture,  sa 
lutes  and  holds  up  three  fingers.) 

EMPEROR 

(Peering  around  at  SCIENTIST.) 
What  are  you  doing? 

SCIENTIST 

I  tapped  the  throne  three  times,  very  gently.  Did 
your  Majesty  not  hear? 

EMPEROR 
No. 

SCIENTIST 

Ah,  but  the  supersoldier  did — ten  paces  distant!  It 
is  stupendous.  (He  crosses  to  table,  opens  portfolio, 
takes  out  a  small  white  card.)  (To  EMPEROR.)  With 
your  permission.  (To  241.)  What  is  written  hereon? 
(241  closes  right  eye  and  stares  fixedly  with  left.) 


26  EFFICIENCY 


241 

Noth — ing. 

SCIENTIST 

(Smiles  knowingly  at  EMPEROR.     Turns  card 
over.) 

Ah,  very  good.  (SCIENTIST  holds  card  up  again.) 
Once  more. 

241 

(After  a  moment  of  staring  he  reads  deliber 
ately.  ) 

A  —  nation 's  —  will  —  should  —  be  —  the  —  will  — 
to — power ! 

EMPEROR 

(Takes  card  from  SCIENTIST  and  glances  at  it.) 
Correct ! 

SCIENTIST 

(Crossing  to  centre  and  returning  card  to  port 
folio,  then  addressing  EMPEROR.) 

This  is  my  greatest  achievement.  Never  has  science 
done  so  much  for  the  human  animal.  From  a  shat 
tered,  bleeding  wreck  of  no  value  to  his  country  I  have 
made  him  into  an  efficient  man — hands  of  steel,  leg  of 
bronze,  arm  of  nickel  and  aluminum,  telescopic  eye,  an 
ear  that 

(241  bends  his  ear  off  stage  left.) 

EMPEROR 
(Startled^) 

You  hear  something?     "What  do  you  hear? 


EFFICIENCY  27 


241 
A — bugle-call — sounding  the  assembly! 

EMPEROR 
Impossible!     Open  the  door! 

(SCIENTIST  opens  door  and  distant  lugle-call  is 
faintly  heard  off  stage.) 

EMPEROR 

(In  astonishment.) 

God  in  heaven!  Miraculous!  (as  SCIENTIST  gently 
closes  door  aglow  with  triumph).  What  have  you  ac 
complished  ? 

SCIENTIST 

(With  fervour.) 
A  resurrection! 

EMPEROR 
Complete ! 

SCIENTIST 

A  triumph  over  matter.  The  fragment  of  a  soldier 
reconstructed  under  the  magic  touch  of  Science,  with 
out  which  he  would  to-day  be  rotting  on  the  field — a 
source  of  pestilence — a  worthless  thing.  Science  set 
him  on  his  feet,  gave  him  a  leg,  an  arm,  hands,  a  tele 
phonic  ear,  a  telescopic  eye! 

EMPEROR 

(Leans  'back   and   deliberately   inspects  241.) 
How  long  have  you  been  in  my  service  ? 
(241  hesitates  and  salutes.) 


28  EFFICIENCY 


SCIENTIST 
You  may  speak. 

241 

Eighteen — years — Majesty. 

EMPEROR 
Married  ? 

241 

Yes,  Majesty. 

EMPEROR 
Children? 

241 

Seven — Maj  esty . 

SCIENTIST 
Five  sons! 

241 

(Bitterly.) 

One  dead — three — at — the — front — my  youngest  fol 
lows 

EMPEROR 
His  age? 

241 

(Swallowing.) 
Sixteen ! 

EMPEROR 

(Coldly  to  SCIENTIST,  referring  to  241.) 
When  does  his  furlough  end? 


SCIENTIST:  "We  can  now  take  a  soldier,  no  matter  how  badly 
wounded,  and  return  him  to  the  trenches — no  longer  a  bungling 
mortal  man — but  a  beautiful,  efficient  machine  !  .  .  .  We  recruit 
from  the  hospitals." 

EMPEROR:  "And  the  hospitals  are  overflowing.  My  dear  Pro 
fessor,  Science  is  the  hope  of  the  dynasty." 


EFFICIENCY  29 


SCIENTIST 

Noon,  to-morrow.  By  nightfall  he  will  again  be  in 
the  trenches. 

EMPEROR 
(Reflectively.) 

And  if  he  returns — I  will  award  him  the  Triple  Cross. 
(More  brightly.)  This  will  stimulate  the  military  ar 
dour  of  the  Crown  Prince.  It  will  delight  him  to  see 
this — reassembled  soldier. 

SCIENTIST 

(Recalling  an  important  detail.) 
And  moreover,  your  Majesty,  there  is  this  aspect  to 
be  considered.     We  are  manufacturing  human  extremi 
ties  on  a  standard,  interchangeable  basis.     For  example, 

as  your  Majesty  perceives,  this  left  leg (picks  up 

ruler  from  desk  and  raps  left  leg  of  241,  which  gives 
out  metallic  ring) ,  is  metal.  As  is  also  his  left  forearm, 
including  the  elbow.  (Taps  it.)  And  both  hands. 
(Taps  them  also.  241  receives  these  attentions  stoically 
as  each  member  of  his  body  clangs  in  a  different  note.) 
Furthermore,  your  gracious  Majesty,  if  any  or  all  of 
these  parts  are  shattered  in  the  course  of  battle,  our 
corps  of  trained  mechanicians,  ever  at  hand,  supplies 
the  parts  by  numbers,  and  the  fighting  unit  embodied  in 
the  individual  returns  with  but  little  loss  of  time  and 
the  minimum  of  inconvenience  to  your  Majesty's  service. 

EMPEROR 
What  does  he  weigh? 

SCIENTIST 

Equipped?  (EMPEROR  nods.)  One  hundred  and 
seventy-five  pounds. 


SO  EFFICIENCY 


EMPEROR 
And  without  his  equipment? 

SCIENTIST 
One  hundred  and  five. 

EMPEROR 

(Brushing  his  hand  across  his  forehead.) 
Little  more  than  half  a  man. 

SCIENTIST 

True,  your  Majesty.  And  therefore  requires  but  half 
the  rations,  half  the  care  of  a  whole  unit.  There  is 
that  much  less  to  nourish. 

EMPEROR 

You  have  brought  about  the  greatest  advance  in  the 
history  of  civilisation.  Tell  me,  what  else  of  the  tele 
scopic  eye  ?  That  interests  me.  I  shall  be  surprised  at 
nothing.  Your  achievements  baffle. 

SCIENTIST 

The  telescopic  eye,  your  Majesty — (SCIENTIST  circles 
the  left  eye  of  241  with  his  finger)  is  superior  to  the 
human  eye  in  two  important  characteristics.  First,  it 
possesses  the  telescopic  quality  as  you  have  observed; 
and,  second,  its  power  is  undiminished  by  darkness. 

EMPEROR 

(With  incredibility.} 
You  mean  he  can  see  in  the  dark? 


EFFICIENCY  31 


SCIENTIST 
Just  that.     And  moreover,  your  Majesty 

EMPEROR 

Halt!  This  is  very  interesting.  We  will  test  that 
also.  Demonstrate. 

SCIENTIST 
(Dubiously.} 
Does  your  Majesty  object  to  darkness? 

EMPEROR 

(Hesitates;  then  replies  with  an  effort.) 
No.     The  electric  switch  is  there  (points  to  ivhite  'but 
ton  on  the  table}. 

SCIENTIST 
(To  241.) 

Right  about  face!  Give  attention  to  His  Majesty! 
(SCIENTIST  crosses  to  table  and  lays  his  finger  beside  the 
button.  241  observes  the  whole  transaction  carefully. 
To  EMPEROR.)  I  will  switch  off  the  light.  Be  so  kind 
as  to  perform  any  act  you  may,  and  he  will  describe 
your  movements.  Are  you  ready? 

EMPEROR 

(Bracing  himself  in  the  chair.) 

Lights  out!  (SCIENTIST  presses  button.  Stage  is  in 
total  darkness.)  Describe  my  movements  as  they  occur. 

VOICE  OF  SCIENTIST 
(To  241.) 
Do  you  understand  His  Majesty? 


32  EFFICIENCY 


VOICE  OF  241 

Yes.  He — leans — forward — in — his — chair.  He — 
lifts — hoth — his — hands.  The — palms — come — together. 
He — bows — his — head — in — prayer. 

VOICE  OF  EMPEROR 

(Sharply.) 

Lights ! 

(SCIENTIST  presses  button.  Lights  <m,  disclos 
ing  EMPEROR  exactly  in  the  attitude  described 
by  241,  with  a  startled  look  on  his  face,  palms 
still  together.) 

SCIENTIST 
Enough,  your  Majesty? 

EMPEROR 

( Relaxing  nervously. ) 

It  is  beyond  human  understanding.  (Recovers  him 
self  and  rises)  — And  it  gives  me  infinite  happiness  to  be 
stow  upon  you  this  mark  of  our  esteem.  (Takes  from 
his  own  breast  the  Order  of  Merit  and  pins  it  on  breast 
of  SCIENTIST.)  The  Order  of  Merit!  There  is  but  one 
higher  decoration — the  symbol  of  Divine  Right — the  Re 
ward  of  Heaven.  (EMPEROR  lays  his  hand  on  the 
seven-starred  emblem.)  Which  I  alone  possess. 

SCIENTIST 

(Overwhelmed,  bows  and  kisses  EMPEROR'S 
hand.) 

Your  gracious  Majesty!  To  have  received  this 
from  your  imperial  hand  on  your  Majesty's  birthday  is 
indeed  a  distinction. 


EMPEROR:    "There  is  but  one  higher  decoration— the  symbol  of 
Divine  Right— the  Reward  of  Heaven— which  I  alone   possess." 


EFFICIENCY  33 


(A  furtive  glance  escapes  241,  a  thin  smile  re 
veals  his  metallic  teeth;  a  sinister  look  comes 
into  his  eyes.  EMPEROR  reseats  himself  urith 
a  gesture  of  benediction.) 

EMPEROR 

I  marvel  at  his  dexterity — at  his  auricular  powers — 
at  his  incomparable  eyesight!  What  is  his  range  of 
vision  ? 

SCIENTIST 

Your  Majesty,  he  can  see  the  enemy  twenty  or  thirty 
miles  away,  count  its  cannon,  its  horses,  its  equipment. 

EMPEROR 
(Quickly.) 

Wait !  I  will  make  another  test.  I  carry  next  to  my 
heart  the  smallest  copy  of  the  Bible  extant.  It  can 
be  read  only  under  a  microscope.  Is  the  test  too  se 
vere  ? 

SCIENTIST 

On  the  contrary,  your  Majesty:  it  is  preferable. 
(Crosses  and  takes  Bible  from  EMPEROR'S  hand.  Turns 
to  241.)  Attention!  Right  about  face!  (241  salutes.) 
I  open  the  book  at  haphazard.  Read  a  verse  from  this 
page. 

241 

Matthew— Fifth— Chapter— fourth— verse.  ' '  Blessed 
—  are  —  they  —  that  —  mourn  —  for  —  they  —  shall 
— be — comforted. ' ' 

SCIENTIST 
The  fifth. 


34  EFFICIENCY 


241 

* '  Blessed  -  -  are  —  the  —  meek  —  for  —  they  — 
shall — inherit — the — earth. ' ' 

(SCIENTIST  turns  to   EMPEROR  and  bows,  the 
book  still  open  in  his  hands.) 

EMPEROR 

He  is  right.  I  am  familiar  with  Matthew.  Turn  to 
another  page. 

(SCIENTIST  opens  the  Bible  elsewhere.    Holds  it 
up.) 

SCIENTIST 
(To  241.) 
Attention !    Read. 

241 

Isaiah— Third— Chapter— fifteenth— verse.  ' '  What— 
mean  —  ye  —  that  —  ye —  beat  —  my  --  people  —  to 
—  pieces  —  and  —  grind  —  the  —  faces  —  of  —  the  — 
poor — saith — the — Lord — God — of — Hosts. ' ' 

EMPEROR 
STOP ! 

(EMPEROR  leans  back  in  his  chair  under  stress  of 
great  emotion,  his  hand  sweeping  his  brow  re 
peatedly.  SCIENTIST  closes  the  book,  bows 
again  with  greater  humility  and  returns  the 
book  to  EMPEROR.) 

EMPEROR 

(Takes  book  and  thrusts  it  in  his  bosom.) 
His  powers  are  diabolical.     I  wish  to  experiment  with 
him  alone.     (Relaxes  and  gazes  vaguely  into  the  dis- 


EFFICIENCY  35 


tance.     SCIENTIST  drops  portfolio  and  coat  on  settee.) 
Hasten !     I  will  summon  you  with  that  bell. 

(241  remains  stolidly  at  attention,  an  expres 
sion  of  awakening  purpose  in  his  eyes.) 

SCIENTIST 
Your  Majesty  commands. 

(Bows  elaborately.  Exit  Left.  EMPEROR 
with  Imperial  dignity  stares  241  down  after  a 
duel  of  the  eyes,  imposing  his  will  upon  the 
soldier.  Follows  a  moment  of  inspection  in 
which  wonderment  is  the  dominant  note.  He 
rises  from  the  throne  and  walks  slowly  half 
way  around  the  impassive  soldier,  studying  him 
critically.  EMPEROR'S  expression  changes  to 
'bewilderment  tinged  with  fear.  The  situation 
is  uncanny.) 

EMPEROR 
Where  were  you  born? 

241 

In — the — South — Ma  j  esty . 

EMPEROR 
Your  trade? 

241 

(With  a  helpless,  involuntary  gesture,  extend 
ing  his  hands.) 

I — was — a — florist,  (EMPEROR  stares  at  the  metal 
hands,  241  observing  the  expression.)  I  made — 
bouquets.  Not — with — these — (EMPEROR  averts  his 
face )  — but — with — my — absent — hands. 


36  EFFICIENCY 


EMPEROR 

(Reseating  himself.) 
War  is  not  a  festival  of  flowers. 

241 

Majesty — a  wreath — I   could  make — slowly — for  the 
dead. 

(He  leans  toward  the  EMPEROR.) 

EMPEROR 

(Observing  the  somewhat  cynical  note  of  the 
soldier,  becomes  grave.) 

Are  you  not  grateful  to  Science  for  these  wonders 
performed?     (241  salutes.)     Speak! 

241 
What— shall— I— say  ? 

EMPEROR 
You  are  a  man  again — you  are  whole  once  more! 

241 

Yes — Ma  j  esty .     But — my — heart — is — broken. 

EMPEROR 
Why? 

241 

My — people — are — starving — my — wife — is — lonely— 

EMPEROR 

Then  you  are  not  proud  that  Science  has  found  a  way 
to  double  the  strength  of  our  Army? 


VOICE  OF  241:  "You  have  made  me — live — in  the  dark — and  now 
you  shall  die  in  the  dark  !  .  .  .  Go  as  a  king- — should  go — to 
meet  the  King — of  Kings  !" 


EFFICIENCY  37 


241 
By — bringing — me — twice — to — slaughter. 

EMPEROR 

(Leaning  forward,  with  ferocity,  his  hands  on 
the  arms  of  his  chair.) 
What,  ingrate? 

241 

By  —  doubling  —  the  —  strength  —  of  —  your  — 
army — you — have — multiplied — human — grief. 

(Takes  two  steps  laboriously  toward  EM 
PEROR.  ) 

EMPEROR 
You  dare  rebel  in  the  presence  of  your  Emperor? 

241 

Dare  ?          The — fear — has — gone — out — of — my — tor 
tured — body — into — yours. 

(Takes  another  step  toward  electric  button,  his 
heavy  feet  sounding  ponderously.  EMPEROR 
cowers  back  in  the  chair,  hollow-eyed.) 

EMPEROR 

Down  on  your  knees  and  crave  your  Emperor's  par 
don! 

241 

That  --  part  —  of  --  me  --  which  —  is  —  steel  — 

—  cannot  —  bend  —  to  —  mortal  —  man.     I  —  will  — 
get  —  down  —  on  —  my  —  knees  —  only  —  to  —  God 

—  and  —  ask  —  Him  —  to —  forgive  —  me  —  what  — 


38  EFFICIENCY 


I  —  now  —  intend  —  to  —  do.  Twice  —  in  —  the  — 
red  —  shambles  —  of  —  the  —  trenches !  I  —  am  — 
the — hope — of — the — dynasty?  (throws  his  arm  wide). 
No — I — am — the — hope — of — the — people!  (with  trem 
bling  rigidity  241  reaches  toward  electric  button).  The 

—  day  —  of  —  your  —  birth  —  shall  —  henceforth  — 
be  —  known  —  as  —  the  —  day  —  of  —  your  —  death 

—  and  —  celebrated  —  as  —  the  —  birthday  —  of  — 
liberty ! 

(241  smashes  electric  button  with  his  steel 
hand.  Total  darkness  follows.  Two  slow  foot 
falls  are  followed  by  a  gasping  intake  of  breath 
from  the  throne-chair.) 

VOICE  OF  EMPEROR 
(In  terror.) 
Lights.     Lights ! 

VOICE  OF  241 
I — need — no — lights. 

VOICE  OF  EMPEROR 
( Gaspingly. ) 
Lights ! 

VOICE  OF  241 

You — have — made  me — live — in  the  dark — and  now 
you  shall — die  in  the  dark! 

VOICE  OF  EMPEROR 
(Choking.) 
Mercy ! 

VOICE  OF  241 

You — cannot — escape — me — in — the — shadows.       I — 
can — see — you — I — can — hear — you.       Come — to — my — 


EFFICIENCY  39 


iron — arms!    Don't — tremble!    Don't — shrink!     Go — as 
-  a  —  king  —  should  --go  —  to  —  meet  —  the  — 
King — of — Kings ! 

(A  rush  of  feet;  an  overwhelming  impact  of 
bodies;  a  shriek  of  agony  from  the  depths;  the 
overturning  of  the  throne;  a  scuffle  in  which 
the  human  body  mingles  with  the  rattle  of 
metal;  a  long,  choking,  gasping  blast;  a  ripple 
of  stertorous  breath;  the  clink  of  metal  as  241 
gets  to  his  feet.  Silence.  Again  the  ponder 
ous  footfalls  are  heard  crossing  the  room,  which 
is  still  in  darkness.  241  puts  on  his  overcoat, 
his  helmet,  etc.  Footfalls  are  again  heard 
crossing  to  the  table.  241  presses  the  electric 
button.  Lights.) 

(There  stands  241  in  full  equipment,  the  EM 
PEROR  lying  at  the  foot  of  the  shattered  throne 
crumpled  up  in  the  most  unkingly  attitude,  the 
emblem  known  as  the  Reward  of  Heaven  glit 
tering  in  the  light.  241  bends  down,  rends  it 
from  the  EMPEROR'S  bosom,  fixes  it  upon  his 
own  left  breast,  comes  to  attention,  and  rings 
the  gong  on  the  table,  which  gives  out  a  low  re 
verberating  note.  241  then  turns  to  the  door 
and  stands  with  his  arms  stiffly  suspended  at 
his  side,  his  chest  thrown  out  and  a  light  of  vic 
tory  in  his  eyes.} 

(ENTER  SCIENTIST,  left.  He  takes  in  the  whole 
terrible  scene,  cowers  back.) 

SCIENTIST 

(Gasps  as  he  stares  at  241.) 
What  is  this  ? 


40  EFFICIENCY 


241 

(Raising  his  metal  fingers  to  heaven  with  an 
air  of  thunderous,  choking  finality.) 

EF— FI— CIEN— CY ! 

(Curtain.) 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


JUN      8  1936 

APK    t  n 

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U.C.  BERKELEY  LIB!- 


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